Introduction to Social Network Analysis

About

The abundance of network metaphors and new relational data signify how exciting the field of social network analysis is for political research. This course offers you an introduction to the fundamentals of social network analysis in an interactive online teaching environment.

In the sessions, we will cover central concepts in the network literature and discuss how these concepts are theoretically motivated, methodologically operationalised, and applied. In-class exercises and package tutorials equip you with the skills and hands-on experience required to manage and analyse network data using R. Through the course, you will learn: key network concepts and terminology; strategies for collecting, visualising, and analysing network data; a range of measures and models for answering theoretically-informed questions; and examples of their application to political science as well as examples for you to apply.

Course leader

James Hollway is Co-Director of the Global Governance Centre, Head of the Environment and Sustainability Specialisation, and Associate Professor of International Relations/Political Science at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva. His research develops multilevel and dynamic network theories, methods, and data for studying institutionalised cooperation and conflict on trade, health, and environmental issues such as fisheries and freshwater. His work has been published with Cambridge University Press, Journal of Conflict Resolution, International Studies Quarterly, Global Environmental Politics, International Environmental Agreements, Policy Studies Journal, Sociological Theory, Sociological Methodology, Social Networks, and Network Science.

Target group

Social science researchers

Course aim

This course is designed to bring you to an intermediate level of understanding, with an overview of more advanced options to support further exploration in the field.

Fee info